Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-09 Minutes• 4 V MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS A special meeting of the Fayetteville City Board of Directors was held on August 9, 1991, at 1:00 p.m. in Room 326 of City Hall, 113 West Mountain, Fayetteville, Arkansas. PRESENT: Mayor Fred Vorsanger, Directors Ann Henry, Dan Coody, Julie Nash, Shell Spivey, and Mike Green; Administrative Services Director Kevin Crosson,' Public Works Director Don Munsell,City Attorney Jerry Rose, and Assistant City Clerk Lois Day. ABSENT: Director Bob Blackston, City Manager Scott Linebaugh, and City Clerk Sherry Thomas. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vorsanger called the special meeting to order and stated the purpose of the meeting was to reconsider the parking design for the Walton Arts Center that the Board had approved at the August 6, 1991 regular Board meeting. 4 PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR -PRESENTATION Don Munsell gave a presentation covering the two possible options for the parking lot at the corner of West and Dickson Streets. He outlined the related expenses associated with each of the options, how many parking spaces would be available with each option, and the greenspace possibilities. He also addressed the desire of some citizens to "save the creek" that is on the property. Munsell stated that the Board had previously+approved Scheme B for this particular parking lot. *r FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Kevin Crosson gave a presentation ,regarding the funding possibilities for the parking plans. He.stated that the alternate plan for the parking lot was more expensive than Scheme B. He presented the Board with'a listing of potential funding sources for the improvements. - PUBLIC COMMENTS J. E. Springborn suggested that we worry less about parking spaces and utilize the trains since there are now passenger cars which can bring visitors in from all over Northwest Arkansas, Missouri, Fort Smith, and Van Buren. Steve Adams, a representative of the Walton Arts Center, was concerned about the long-term maintenance of the park if it was decided to be developed. He felt that as long as the park was a "new commodity," volunteers would be ready to help take care of the ' «t7U August 9, 1991 park. However, after the newness wears off, he is fearful that the Arts Center would be forced to assume the expense of maintaining the park. Al Einert, professor of Horticulture at the University of Arkansas, strongly recommended the alternate plan. He stated he had spent many hours working on the plan for this parking area that would allow for the required number of parking spaces and a park area, and he could not understand why the Board would not choose a plan of this nature. Andre' Miller, of the Historical Society, addressed the Board in favor of the park and saving the creek. She stated she has a listing of many people who want to volunteer to help maintain the area. Katherine Barnhart wanted the Board to realize that everybody wants to save the creek and the park because it is such a lovely area. Bill Underwood, representing the Dickson Street Improvement District, stated that they were concerned about the safety of the patrons, they want greenspace, and anything else that would make the Arts Center attractive. Therefore, they feel that Scheme B that the Board had previously approved is the best plan. Sharon Stiles, Dickson Street Improvement District, could not understand how it could be stated that the Dickson Street Improvement District preferred Plan B when they had not had a meeting since March. David Coff, Fayetteville Jaycees, wanted to requested the Board to stick with Scheme B and to "get on with the Arts Center." Also, his group, which has 74 members, are now going to support the Board and attend more City Board meetings. Jeremy Ferrar asked that the Board reconsider their decision and save the spring, the park, and the creek. Bob Reynolds, a property owner on Dickson Street, stated that there was no creek at all. He stated that it was simply a storm drain. He suggested that it be filled in with concrete and get on with Scheme B and the Arts Center. Jerry Sweetser agreed with Mr. Reynolds on the fact that there is no creek, rather a storm drain. He stated he personally built the storm drain quite some time ago. Also, the area floods during hard rains. During this current period of drought, it 3.s impossible to imagine the possibility of flooding or of the matter that is present in the storm drain. He asked that the Board readopt Scheme B. 1 August 9,61991 Wilbur Watson stated that he was a lover of springs and asked that the spring be kept. Al Vick stated the trees and greenspace would keep the temperatures lower on the Dickson Street area. BOARD ACTION Director.Green stated he sawnow reason to change from the Board's original decision of August 6 where they had approved Scheme B. Mayor Vorsanger asked the Board members if they wanted to make any motions. No member made a motion. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:03 p.m. e r Olt MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS A special meeting of the Fayetteville City Board of Directors was held on Wednesday, August 9, 1989 at 8:30 a.m. in Room 326 of City Hall. PRESENT: Assistant Mayor Vorsanger, Directors Michael Green, Russ Kelley, Paul Marinoni and Shell Spivey; City Manager James Pennington, City Prosecutor Terry Jones and City Clerk Suzanne McWethy; members of the staff, press and audience ABSENT: Mayor Martin and Director Ernest Lancaster In the absence of the Mayor, the meeting was called to order by Assistant Mayor 260 Fred Vorsanger, with five Directors present. Vorsanger told the Board the only item of business was the issue of certification 260 and psychological testing for Police Officers. City Manager Pennington told the Board that three to four weeks ago the Arkansas 260 Supreme Court brought into question the number of police officers in the State of Arkansas who were certified, relative to the way psychological examinations had been given to them. He said in 1983 a State law was passed which required a very specific test be given for psychological examinations. He said there was a test case in court the other day which was handled by City Prosecutor Terry Jones, in which Jones was successful in proving we had followed the proper procedure in that case. Pennington said, however, that case can be appealed and, for that reason, it was his belief, and that of the Police Chief and the City Prosecutor, that the best safeguard for the City is to have individuals in the department undergo psychological examinations. He said this particularly applies to 42 who were hired after the 1983 period. Pennington said the testing would involve a written test and an oral. interview. Pennington said this required quick action to find an, organization highly - 260 qualified to do the testing and whose reputation is very reliable and would satisfy any potential requirements in court, and who at the same time would be able to do the testing as soon as possible. He said the chief located such a firm in Fayetteville - the Northwest Arkansas Psychological Clinic. He said Drs. Richard and Bettye Back would personally administer the .testing and can start as soon as possible. f Pennington said the City Prosecutor had drafted an ordinance waiving bidding 26C requirements. Police Chief Watson said the cost to test 42 officers would be slightly over $13,000. Watson said if every officer were,tested, 55 officers would be involved. He said 13 were hired prior to the requirement for physical examinations. City Prosecutor Jones said the City would like to foreclose the possibility of 26C arguments that those 13 were not subject to minimum standards. Jones advised the testing be done on the whole staff as quickly as possible rather than waiting 1 s 261.1 261.2 261.3 261.4 August 9, 1989 until someone renders an adverse decision. Watson said, if all 55 officers receive psychological testing, the cost would be slightly over $18,000. He said there would be a little additional cost for physical examinations on the other 11 officers. City Manager Pennington said he thought a figure of $18,000 should be set on the contract with the Psychological Clinic, stating that the medical examinations could be handled individually. Director Kelley asked if a budget adjustment would be required. Pennington said funds were available in Contract Services to cover the cost. He said an ordinance was required to waive the bids and authorize the contract. Director Vorsanger asked who would receive the results of the tests. Watson said the test results would come back to the Police Department and the Personnel Office would send a copy to Minimum Standards in Little Rock. Vorsanger asked what would happen if an officer did not pass the testing. The City Manager said, in that case, an officer would not be certified. Director Spivey asked if an officer not certified would be terminated. Pennington responded that, if an officer did not pass the psychological test, he would seriously question the officer having arrest authority, and would seriously question why the City would permit continued employment until there is a retesting or a recommendation from a psychiatrist. Pennington said a budget change would be needed from Police Jail Contract Account to Police Support Services. Director Green asked if other municipalities would be undergoing retesting. Jones said 112 State policemen have had to be retested. He said most of the psychological tests here are done by Ozark Guidance Center, were probably done by the same people and have the same potential problem. Jones said the City would require in the contract that the Backs personally do each step of the test. 261.5 Pennington said the quirk of the law is that a psychologist has to administer the written and oral tests to the individuals. He said the normal function of any psychological exam is that a clinician administers the written test and the psychologist reviews the results and proceeds with the interview. 261.6 261.7 Jones read the ordinance for the first time. It was moved by Marinoni and seconded by Kelley to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second reading. Upon roll call, the motion passed, 5-0. The ordinance was read for the second time. It was moved by Marinoni and seconded by Kelley to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its third and final reading. Upon roll call, the motion passed, 5-0. The ordinance was read for the third time. There being no public comment, upon roll call, the ordinance passed, 5-0. ORDINANCE NO. 3443 APPEARS ON PAGE /A0 OF ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION BOOK The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m. XXd